Counseling Visits by Zoom
The Basics
Families First and Goodwin Community Health utilize a secure version of Zoom to provide videoconferencing sessions for counseling visits.
You will need:
- An Internet connection or cell signal and data
- Active email address to receive Zoom invites
- A smartphone, tablet, a laptop or computer
- The Zoom client App: https://zoom.us/download
- Speakers and a microphone (usually built into laptops and phones) or some type of headset with a microphone.
Before your Zoom Meeting
- Address all concerns you have with your provider prior to your first Zoom meeting.
- Have a backup plan with your provider. For example, call provider if not connected within 5 minutes of scheduled appointment time .
- Practice using Zoom before the first meeting.
- Find a private space. This means not in a public area and without interruptions.
- During your Zoom Meeting
- Be on time and ready to go.
- This will be awkward the first time – that’s OK! Be patient with yourself and your provider.
- When there are connection issues, let your provider know. Common issues include: video freezing but you can still hear, echoing, delay between audio and video, dropped meeting.
- Use your backup plan when there are connection issues.
- Ensure the meeting will not be interrupted – think like you are having an office visit.
After your Zoom Meeting
- Talk to your provider about what went well and what did not go well for you.
- Practice using this technology with friends and/or family. The more you use it, the more comfortable you will be.
Counseling Visits by Phone
Having your therapy session over the phone can feel uncomfortable. Use these tips to help make your telephone sessions feel more comfortable and more like a regular, in-person session.
Before your Phone Session:
- Make sure you are in a quiet and private area that has good cell reception.
- Keep distractions to a minimum by turning off electronics (TV/computer/video games).
- If possible, have someone watch younger children so that you can focus on your session.
During your Phone Session:
- Keep a pen and paper handing to write down any important information (new appointments or new skills you learned).
- Try to avoid wandering around your house and doing other tasks (laundry, dishes, cooking, etc.).
- Talk to your therapist about what is working for you over the phone and what, if anything, could be changed to make the telephone sessions more comfortable (getting handouts/worksheets beforehand, having your therapist be more directive than they are when you are in the office, etc.)
After your Phone Session:
- Make sure to put your next appointment on your calendar, in your phone, or wherever you will remember it!
- Give yourself a few minutes before returning to your regular day. Therapy sessions can be difficult, especially over the phone. It’s okay to take a few minutes to process the session and take a few deep breaths before you go back to your day.
